Oman

Some of the residents of Al Khoudh’s sixth plot have to depend on water tankers. The project to instal a water supply network here is under way for the last two years.–Supplied photo

Muscat: A number of Al Khoudh residents have urged the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (PAEW) to provide regular water supply to the sixth plot in Khoudh.

"We bought land here by paying more than OMR55,000 and feel upset that we do not even receive the basic services," said Ali Abdullah, a resident of Al Khoudh. He added that the project to instal a water supply network in the area has taken more than two years to complete.

"Some residents have sold their properties and left the area," complained Ali, while adding that the residents of Al Khoudh, the sixth plot, have to depend on water tankers. "That is not comfortable for us. They have been exploiting our situation and raising the price of water as and when they want," Ali explained.

Saoud Al Salmi, another Al Khoudh resident, blamed the authorities for having delayed the project. "I don't know why they are taking such a long time to complete the project," said Saoud, while adding that it is unbelievable that a place in Muscat, which is the country's capital city, lacks access to such a basic amenity.

"We call upon the authorities concerned to look into the matter and find an immediate solution for the residents of Al Khoudh, the sixth plot," said, Ali Al Bahri, a local resident.

When the PAEW was contacted, an official told Times of Oman that the authority receives many requests from residents for water supply to their areas. "We have received many applications from residents applying for water supply connection. However, there are some places in the area that need some infrastructure to be put in place to supply water. We continue to spend to extend our network and improve our services," said the source.

The PAEW continues to be committed to extending and improving water services to the citizens of Oman.

It may be recalled that water distributed across the PAEW's system increased by around 10 million m3 in 2013 compared to the previous year when strong efforts were made to ensure that water entering the distribution system is accurately recorded.